How to become a member

Membership is open to anyone who fulfils the Liberal Judaism criteria of Jewish status (see section below). Our current subscription rate is £200 per adult member. Payment is due on a calendar year basis and will be reduced pro-rata for members who join during the year. Some members give additional donations for which we are most grateful.

Our policy is that no-one should be prevented from becoming a member due to inability to pay. Our treasurer is very willing to discuss reduced subscriptions for those with limited incomes. Student members generally pay a reduced rate of £10, but some choose to give additional donations.

All of our services (except on High Holydays) are open to both members and non-members but membership provides additional benefits such as special events and High Holyday service admissions. But membership is not just about the benefits to you. It is a commitment to the continuation of our community. Without our members we would be nothing.

If you would like to join, please contact our Membership Secretary e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or leave a message with your contact details on our community phone making clear it is about Membership). We will then ask you to complete a Membership Form. There is no need to send any money at this stage. You will be invoiced for membership dues once your membership has been approved.

If, for any reason, you do not wish to apply for membership (perhaps you are visiting for only a few months, or for any other reason you do not wish to take up membership) you might consider sending a donation to our treasurer (get details of how to do this by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or leaving a message on our community phone).

Jewish status and conversion to Judaism

”Judaism is not transmitted genetically but culturally and within families through example and influence. The process of transmission is one of education in the broadest sense, so that what is transmitted is not merely knowledge but beliefs and values, attitudes and ideals, and above all, a sense of identification and commitment.” – Liberal Judaism

Provided the person has had a Jewish education and background this can come via the patrilineal or matrilineal line. Further details on the Liberal approach to Jewish identity are available in this leaflet (pdf, opens in new window) from the LJ web site. We can provide copies of this and other leaflets.

The Liberal approach differs from that of the other UK progressive movement (Reform) who only recognise matrilineal inheritance of Jewish status, in accordance with Orthodox practice. However the two movements recognise the other’s acceptance of Jewish status once it has been agreed. In particular they recognise each other’s converts.

The path towards conversion to Judaism is one requiring substantial commitment. Liberal Judaism welcomes all sincere converts to Judaism and provides for their education. The course, usually lasting at least fifteen months, is administered and validated centrally by Liberal Judaism, but taught locally. The first step is an interview with our Rabbi. If accepted on to the course, potential converts are expected to attend services regularly and to attend monthly classes held when Rabbi Mark Solomon is visiting as well as undertaking study on their own.